MEDICARE, EXPLAINED
Medicare Supplement (Medigap)
The coverage that fills the gaps in Original Medicare.
Original Medicare covers a lot, but you still pay a share of most bills, and in a hard year those can climb with no ceiling. A Medicare Supplement, also called Medigap, takes that worry off the table. It's a policy that covers most of what Original Medicare leaves to you, so your costs stay steady no matter what the year brings.
One thing to know up front. A supplement isn't a "part" of Medicare like A, B, C, or D. It's a separate policy that works alongside your Original Medicare. Original Medicare pays its share of a bill first, and your supplement covers most of what's left. It pairs only with Original Medicare, so it's the path for people who kept the original version instead of choosing a Part C plan.
What Medicare Supplement Covers
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The Gaps in Coverage
Original Medicare pays its part of a bill and leaves the rest to you. A supplement covers most of that remainder, so you go from paying a piece of every bill to paying almost none of it.
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Hospital Costs
A hospital stay comes with deductibles and daily charges that add up fast. Your supplement covers those, so a serious stay doesn't become a serious bill.
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Doctor and Outpatient Costs
Original Medicare leaves you paying a share of nearly every visit, test, and procedure. A supplement covers most of that share, quietly handling the everyday costs that add up over a year.
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Care When You Travel
Most supplement plans include emergency coverage when you're traveling outside the country. Original Medicare rarely covers you abroad, so it's a welcome bit of backup for the occasional trip.
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Any Doctor, Anywhere
A supplement has no network. It works with any doctor or hospital in the country that takes Medicare, with no referrals and no local list. If you travel or split your year between states, this is the coverage built for it.
What Medicare Supplement Won't Cover
A supplement covers your share of Original Medicare's costs but a few things are not included:
It doesn't cover prescriptions. That's the one that surprises people. For your medicines, you add a separate Part D plan. The supplement handles your medical bills, Part D handles your drugs, and together they cover both sides.
It doesn't work with Part C. A supplement goes alongside Original Medicare, not a Part C plan. You pick one path or the other, so a supplement is for people who kept Original Medicare.
It doesn't add extras like dental, vision, or hearing. Those come with some Part C plans, not with a supplement. A supplement protects you from the cost of the care you already have. That's its job, and it does it well.
Enrollments and Costs for Medicare Supplement
Enrollment: There's a six-month window when getting a supplement is easiest. It opens when you're both 65 and enrolled in Part B. During those six months, you're guaranteed coverage. No insurer can turn you down or charge you more because of your health, whatever your history looks like. You get your pick of plans at the best price, no health questions asked.
That guarantee is tied to the window. Once it closes, insurers in most states can factor in your health, which can change the price or your options. So the simplest time to set up a supplement is right around your 65th birthday, while that guarantee is in your corner.
What It Costs: You pay a monthly premium for your supplement, on top of your Part B premium. The good news is that supplements come in standard types, each named with a letter, and a given type covers the same things no matter who sells it. So the choice really comes down to price, and we can compare the same plan across companies to find you the best rate.
Medigap FAQs
What's the difference between a Medicare supplement and Medicare Part C?
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They're opposite approaches. A supplement adds to your Original Medicare and covers your share of the costs. Part C replaces Original Medicare with a private plan that bundles everything together. You have one or the other.
Does a Medicare supplement cover my prescriptions?
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No. A supplement covers your medical bills, not your medicines. For prescriptions you add a separate Part D plan, and the two work side by side.
What do the plan letters like G and N mean?
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They're standard plan types, each named with a letter. Because they're standardized, a Plan G covers the same things at every company. Plan G and Plan N are the two most people choose. Plan G is the most complete, and Plan N trades a few small copays for a lower monthly premium.
Not during your six-month window. After it closes, insurers in most states can consider your health when deciding whether to cover you and at what price. That's why the timing matters.
Can I be turned down for a supplement?
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Can I keep my own doctor with Medicare Supplement?
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Yes. A supplement has no network, so it works with any doctor or hospital in the country that takes Medicare. No referrals, no local list.
Still Have Questions?
Medicare comes with a lot of details, and it's normal to have questions along the way. That's exactly what we're here for. Reach out anytime, whether you're just starting to look into your options or trying to sort out a specific decision. There's no cost to the conversation, and no obligation attached to it.